Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-15
STATE AFFAIRS.
Governor Ross Urgently ExhOrts Dis.
trict Judge Burkhart TO Investigate
the BFazoria Affair.
The COIlipgsworthA Attempted Eviction Cases
Receiving the Attention of the Kx.cu-
tivc-Setters will be Protected.
Special to the Gazette.

Special to the Gazette
AUSTIN, TEX, Oct. John n. John
son, negro lawyer at 8rysn, wrote Gov
ernOr Ross requesting that he appoint 8
commission 80 investigate the Brsz orla
troubles. Governor ROSS has no consti-
tutionsl authority to do so. except
through the grand jury, and accordingly
the following letter was addressed to
District Judge Burkhardt OF that dis
trict:
AUSTIN, Ten, Oct. 9, 1881.
Hon. W. II. Burkha. dt, Richmond, Tex:
DEAR SIR-In further reference to
yours of September %, am directed ny
the Governor to hand you here with q let
ter from Mr.. John J. Johnson, an attor-
ney OF Bry8D, which after you have
TeSd and Considered you will please re-
turn. The method he proposes is, of
course, practicable for want of any
power in this direction constitutionaliy
conferred on the Governor. The only
legitimate inquiry that can be made is
through the properly constituted authori-
ties Of the grand juries of the respective
counties. The Governor is most anxious
for the protection of all classes of our
citizens, no matter whether black or
white, and that the hand of the law shall
fall with unspsrtng yigor and with fpll
and exact Justice on all wrong
doors, whatever their color or
financial condition. Therefore it is de-
handed by puolic opinion that the most
searching inquiry shall be Instituted into
all matters connected with the late
troubles in Brazoria and Matagorda
counties. With this view the Governor
asks you as district Judge Of the district
OF which these counties form constitu
ent part to iDcite the officers and es-
peCially the grand juries through your
charges by every means in their pc wer to
make such strenuous queries as shall
lead to the arrest and conviction of all
parties concerned in the late outbreak, and
also from time to time give him such
information as may be necessary to his
thorough knowledge Of the state of affairs,
with view TO guarding against their re-
currence. II st any time you should fad
it necessary TO apply to him for material
aid he desires me to inform you that such
application will not be made in vain If
within his constitutional powers. | am
respectfully,
81. NJ. HOLMES, Private Secretary.
The following reply was received from
Judge Burkhsrdt to-day:
RICHMOND, TEX, Oct. !, 1857.
DEAR GOVERNOR L herewith return
the letter of Mr.. JohDson's after having
carefully read the same. I fully con-
cur with Your Excellency in your
opinion that there is no constitutional
authority in the executive to pursue the
course indicated by M. Johnson. l am
now going the round of my circuit, and
when reach the scene of the disturb
snce l shall call the matter to the atteu-
ton of the grsnd jury and officers and
exert myself fairly and earnestly in order
that the laws of the country msy be vim
dicsted and further disgrace prevented
Sincerely your friend and obedient serv-
ant, w. 81. BURKEARDT.
THE COLLINGSwORTH AFFAIR
The reported troubles in Ceilings worth
are receiving attention, and the Governor
says there is not the slightest danger of
any settler who complies with the law
being deprived CT any legal right. It is the
policy as well as the purpose OF the ad.
ministratioR to fully protect the actual
settlers, and he believes that If there is
an honest compliance by all parties with
the present law it will not only result in
greatly augmentiDg the school fund but
people that entire section in Il faNF Yesrs.
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